Hearing God's Voice: Embracing Spiritual Communication
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound theme of "Hearing the Voice of God," a journey that invites us to deepen our understanding of how God communicates with us. We began by reflecting on the origins of our church, The Barn Church, which symbolizes the simplicity and purity of the gospel message. This simplicity is mirrored in our approach to understanding God's voice, which doesn't require complexity to be effective.
We delved into the foundational concept of Jesus as both the Logos and Rhema. Logos, the written word, is the eternal truth found in scripture, while Rhema represents the living word, the personal and direct communication from God to us. Understanding these two aspects is crucial for our spiritual growth and alignment with God's will. We emphasized that while scripture is a vital channel for hearing God's voice, it is not the only one. God also speaks through creation, circumstances, and community, each offering unique insights and guidance.
A key part of our journey is the spiritual awakening that allows us to perceive God's voice more clearly. This awakening requires us to be open to the Holy Spirit's guidance, which often comes in unexpected ways. We must be willing to step out in faith, even when the path is unclear, trusting that God will lead us through the complexities of life.
We also discussed the importance of community in discerning God's voice. Engaging with fellow believers provides a rich source of wisdom and support, helping us to navigate the challenges of life with grace and humility. Vulnerability within the community is essential, as it fosters genuine connections and allows us to grow together in faith.
Finally, we explored the concept of reception, the quality of our spiritual signal. Just as a radio requires fine-tuning to receive a clear signal, we must continually adjust our spiritual antennae to hear God's voice clearly. This involves renewing our minds, seeking wisdom through experience, and remaining open to the diverse ways God may choose to speak to us.
Key Takeaways:
- Logos and Rhema: Understanding Jesus as both the Logos (written word) and Rhema (living word) is foundational to our faith. The Logos provides eternal truths, while the Rhema offers personal guidance, urging us to seek a deeper relationship with God beyond the written text. [04:20]
- Spiritual Awakening: A spiritual awakening is essential for perceiving God's voice. It requires openness to the Holy Spirit's guidance, which often comes in unexpected ways, urging us to trust God even when the path is unclear. [12:51]
- Community and Vulnerability: Engaging with a community of believers is crucial for discerning God's voice. Vulnerability within the community fosters genuine connections, allowing us to grow together in faith and wisdom. [37:06]
- Channels of God's Voice: God speaks through various channels, including scripture, creation, circumstances, and community. Each offers unique insights, urging us to remain open to the diverse ways God may choose to communicate. [29:18]
- Reception and Spiritual Signal: Continually adjusting our spiritual antennae is necessary to hear God's voice clearly. This involves renewing our minds, seeking wisdom through experience, and being open to the diverse ways God may speak. [45:19]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:52] - The Barn Church Origins
[01:40] - Hearing the Voice of God
[03:04] - Logos and Rhema Explained
[05:53] - Starting Your Faith Walk
[07:01] - Jesus as the Word
[09:04] - Spiritual Awakening
[12:51] - Practical Application
[15:44] - Being Doers of the Word
[18:20] - The Birth of a Ministry
[22:34] - Channels of God's Voice
[29:18] - Circumstances and God's Voice
[33:34] - Community and Vulnerability
[40:11] - The Role of Peace
[45:19] - Adjusting Your Spiritual Signal
[50:59] - True Revelation and Transformation
[56:28] - The Frequency of Faith
[58:39] - Invitation to Engage
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Hearing the Voice of God
Bible Reading:
1. John 1:1-3 (NLT) - "In the beginning, the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him."
2. John 6:63 (NLT) - "The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life."
3. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT) - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."
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Observation Questions:
1. What are the two Greek words discussed in the sermon that describe different aspects of Jesus as the Word, and what do they mean? [04:20]
2. According to the sermon, what are some of the channels through which God communicates with us? [22:34]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of community in discerning God's voice? [37:06]
4. What analogy is used in the sermon to describe the process of adjusting our spiritual signal to hear God's voice more clearly? [44:22]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does understanding Jesus as both Logos and Rhema deepen one's relationship with God beyond the written text? [04:20]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that a spiritual awakening can change how we perceive God's voice in our lives? [12:15]
3. How does the sermon illustrate the importance of vulnerability within a community of believers for spiritual growth? [37:06]
4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between peace and discerning God's will in our lives? [40:11]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God was speaking to you through circumstances. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? [29:18]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of community in hearing God's voice. How can you be more open and vulnerable with your faith community this week? [37:06]
3. Consider the analogy of adjusting your spiritual antennae. What practical steps can you take this week to improve your "spiritual reception"? [44:22]
4. How can you incorporate both the Logos and Rhema aspects of Jesus into your daily spiritual practices? [04:20]
5. Identify one area in your life where you need a spiritual awakening. What specific actions can you take to invite the Holy Spirit's guidance in that area? [12:15]
6. Think of a situation where you need to trust in God's guidance rather than your own understanding. How can you apply Proverbs 3:5-6 to this situation? [31:07]
7. How can you create space in your daily routine to listen for God's voice through the various channels mentioned in the sermon? [22:34]
Devotional
Day 1: The Dual Nature of God's Word
Understanding Jesus as both the Logos and Rhema is foundational to our faith. The Logos, or the written word, provides eternal truths that guide us in our spiritual journey. It is the scripture that has been passed down through generations, offering wisdom and instruction. On the other hand, the Rhema is the living word, the personal and direct communication from God to us. It is the voice of God speaking into our lives in a way that is intimate and specific to our circumstances. Embracing both aspects of God's word encourages us to seek a deeper relationship with Him, moving beyond the written text to experience His presence in our daily lives. [04:20]
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made." (John 1:1-3, ESV)
Reflection: How can you create space in your daily routine to listen for God's Rhema word, beyond your regular scripture reading?
Day 2: Embracing Spiritual Awakening
A spiritual awakening is essential for perceiving God's voice. It requires an openness to the Holy Spirit's guidance, which often comes in unexpected ways. This awakening is not a one-time event but a continuous journey of growth and discovery. It involves stepping out in faith, even when the path is unclear, and trusting that God will lead us through the complexities of life. By being receptive to the Holy Spirit, we allow ourselves to be transformed and aligned with God's will, experiencing His presence in profound and life-changing ways. [12:51]
"For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: What unexpected ways has the Holy Spirit spoken to you recently, and how can you be more open to these experiences?
Day 3: The Power of Community and Vulnerability
Engaging with a community of believers is crucial for discerning God's voice. Within this community, vulnerability is essential as it fosters genuine connections and allows us to grow together in faith and wisdom. By sharing our struggles and triumphs, we create a supportive environment where God's voice can be heard more clearly. The wisdom and support of fellow believers help us navigate the challenges of life with grace and humility, reminding us that we are not alone on this journey. [37:06]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your community can you reach out to for support or to offer support, fostering a deeper connection and shared growth in faith?
Day 4: Recognizing the Channels of God's Voice
God speaks through various channels, including scripture, creation, circumstances, and community. Each offers unique insights and guidance, urging us to remain open to the diverse ways God may choose to communicate. By being attentive to these channels, we can gain a fuller understanding of God's will and direction for our lives. It is important to cultivate a sensitivity to these different forms of communication, allowing us to discern God's voice amidst the noise of everyday life. [29:18]
"For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse." (Romans 1:20, ESV)
Reflection: How can you become more attuned to the different channels through which God might be speaking to you today?
Day 5: Fine-Tuning Your Spiritual Signal
Continually adjusting our spiritual antennae is necessary to hear God's voice clearly. This involves renewing our minds, seeking wisdom through experience, and being open to the diverse ways God may speak. Just as a radio requires fine-tuning to receive a clear signal, we must be intentional in our spiritual practices to maintain a strong connection with God. By doing so, we can better discern His guidance and direction, allowing us to live in alignment with His will. [45:19]
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)
Reflection: What specific practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to fine-tune your spiritual signal and better hear God's voice?
Quotes
"I can guarantee God wants to speak to you again. So there's two things. These are statements. Number one, you have probably heard God in your life one time, at least once. Number two, God wants to speak to you again." [00:02:24] (15 seconds)
"Rhema is the living word. It's the Greek word. It stands for utterance or a thing that is said. So this is those times where maybe, maybe, maybe you've heard something in the context of your spirit." [00:07:27] (21 seconds)
"The word that thundered creation is the same voice that whispers your name. When Scripture comes alive, it's Jesus stepping from the page into your present moment." [00:11:22] (37 seconds)
"Because we need to perceive that there is an awakening that needs to happen inside of our lives so God can speak to us. So like I said, these are points building off of points. Building off of points." [00:13:56] (13 seconds)
"Your spirit knows before your mind understands what heaven whispers to your heart will always require earth to move through your hands. It rhymed. Number three. The conception." [00:21:32] (20 seconds)
"There are multiple channels of hearing God's voice. And this is really where God said, okay, I want you to expand this out a little bit. Because we might park here a little bit longer." [00:22:13] (11 seconds)
"God is speaking. We have to open our ears to listen. We can hear him clearly through the scripture. Second, Timothy three 16 says all scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true." [00:23:39] (17 seconds)
"God speaks to the community of believers. And if you always think that you need to only hear God's voice, don't tell God how He should speak. It doesn't work out." [00:34:43] (20 seconds)
"Vulnerability is necessary. I know, I love it when Shane comes up here and he's like, I cuss sometimes. Guys, that's real. Don't put on a facade. I said, I may not show you to it, but it might make you throw up." [00:37:41] (22 seconds)
"Like a radio scanning frequencies. Our spirits move from the inception of God's call to the perception of his presence, discovering his voice through the conception of faith in the living word, the whispers of creation, the rhythm of circumstances and the harmony of community." [00:51:28] (15 seconds)
"And we got to adjust ourselves continually to make sure that we're living in the flow. Because if you're only coming here because you only want this much of God, I don't know that this much is going to save you from what is coming." [00:56:35] (17 seconds)
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